Islamic Organization Of North America Signs Muslim Code Of Honor
In light of recent sectarian tensions in the Middle East which threaten to spill over to Muslim communities in the United States, the Islamic Organization of North America (IONA) has joined other prominent Muslim communities in Southeast Michigan in signing the Muslim Code of Honor. This groundbreaking agreement commits the Muslim leaders of Southeast Michigan to emphasize the unity of the Islamic community of believers (Ummah) – whether Shia or Sunni.
The Muslim Code of Honor has been signed by the leaders of 28 Muslim communities in Southeast Michigan from both the Shia and Sunni traditions. Among the leading signatories include the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI); the Detroit chapter of the Muslim American Society (MAS-Detroit); the Islamic Center of America; and the Islamic House of Wisdom. With endorsements from nearly all Muslim communities in Southeast Michigan, the agreement is expected to have wide acceptance in the Muslim community. This effort was spearheaded by the Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan (CIOM).
The Agreement defines the community of Muslims as those who:
The signatories commit to respect the authority of the leaders of each community, and to respect diversity in modes of worship (‘ibadat) and schools of Islamic thought (madhahib). Additionally, participating organizations agree that they will not use, spread, or tolerate the rhetoric of takfir (slandering others as non-believers) against any Muslim that meets these criteria.
Notably, the agreement further commits the signatories to work towards mutual understanding and reconciliation by establishing scholarly study groups (halaqas) to objectively examine Muslim history, creed, and law; and appoint representative Muslim scholars, from both Shia and Sunni traditions, to adjudicate areas of contention.
IONA’s mission is to transform its members and help transform the surrounding communities to righteous, God-fearing people, who collectively strive for the highest moral standard and constantly seek forgiveness from our Creator to earn His pleasure. We seek His compassion and mercy in this life and in the hereafter. We rejuvenate our soul through internal struggle and spiritual exercise in worship of our creator God. The strength of our belief in God gives us the courage to establish good and forbid evil, thus promoting a system of justice for all mankind.